B-HERT Award

A
collaborative research project that aims to give Central Coast businesses a
better understanding of how to succeed, despite the region's unique challenges,
has received a national education award.

The Central
Coast business Collaborative Research Forum is a project of the University of
Newcastle (UON) Central Coast academics, supported by the NSW Business Chamber
Central Coast.

Now in its
second year, the Forum has been awarded a national Business/Higher Education
Round Table (B-HERT) Award in the Excellence in Accounting Teaching
Collaboration category.

The B-HERT
awards were established in 1998 to recognise outstanding achievement in
collaboration between business and higher education in the fields of research
and development and education and training. The Awards aim to highlight the
benefits of such collaboration and enhance links between industries and
universities.

UON Central
Coast academics and students from the business disciplines of management,
marketing, accounting and human resources took part in the Forum, which was
attended by representatives from a broad range of business and industry on the
Central Coast.

"The Central
Coast has above State average unemployment rates, is experiencing a reduction
in household spending, and since the Global Financial Crisis, there has been a
general lack of confidence from business and industry in the region," said lead
researcher, Dr Lisa Barnes.

"The Forum
was an avenue for University staff and students to engage with Central Coast
business owners to discuss the opportunities and challenges they face, and for
the University to work collaboratively with the business community to provide
real-world solutions for these problems."

NSW Business
Chamber Central Coast Regional Manager, Daniel Farmer, said the Collaborative
Research Forum was an excellent example of the community working in partnership
with the UON, for its mutual benefit.

"We encourage
our members to participate in the Collaborative Research Forum because it opens
their minds to the opportunities for their business to benefit from the
expertise and knowledge that is available through the staff and students of the
UON Central Coast," Mr Farmer said.

"Our members
also have a unique understanding of what it takes to succeed in business in the
real world, and their insights are invaluable to inform the research of the University's
staff and students."